Nanoelectromagnetic of a highly conductive 2D transition metal carbide (MXene)/Graphene nanoplatelets composite in the EHF M-band frequency

Highly conductive materials, with minimal thickness and capable to afford electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, are highly advantageous, particularly if they are able to be easily processed into thin films. Here, we demonstrate the potential of a sandwich-like structure of a two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene/Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) composites for EMI shielding in the extreme high frequency (EHF) M-band, ranging from 60 to 80 GHz. First, we investigated systematically the microstructural and electrical transport properties of these composites with respect to the GNP contents. After graphene integration, the composite-surface roughness has been found to decrease, while both electrical conductivity and Hall carrier mobility demonstrated a clear trend to increase, reaching the values of similar to 10(5) S/cm and 55 cm(2)/V, respectively, for only 2.5 wt % of graphene content, reporting thereby one of the most electrically conductive MXene based composite to date. Furthermore, a 1.75 mu m-thick Ti3C2Tx MXene/GNP film was found to exhibit an EM absorbance of about 64 dB, which is one of the highest values, normalized to the thickness, among tested materials so far. This remarkable performance could be associated to three key factors, namely the superior transport properties of the composite films, the dominant absorption mechanism, and the multiple internal reflections from Ti3C2Tx and graphene multilayers configuration. These reported results would lead to unprecedented applications in the fields of space, aeronautics, radars, air travels and mobile phones. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates the potential of a sandwich-like structure of a two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene/Graphene nanoplatelets composites for electromagnetic interference shielding in the extreme high frequency M-band. By integrating graphene, the composite exhibits increased electrical conductivity and Hall carrier mobility, making it one of the most electrically conductive MXene based composites to date. The composite film shows high electromagnetic absorbance due to superior transport properties, dominant absorption mechanism, and multiple internal reflections from Ti3C2Tx and graphene multilayers configuration.